Newcastle0 - 2Blackpool

Goals from Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell earned Blackpool an away victory over a disappointing Newcastle.

Adam coolly converted from the penalty spot after Luke Varney was needlessly cut down in the box by Alan Smith.

Newcastle, who hit the post through Mike Williamson in the first half, improved after the break with Andy Carroll going close late on.

But Campbell - a deadline day signing after a loan spell last season - finished from 20 yards to seal the win.

The teams went into the match with similar records: four points apiece, one convincing win and a lesson learnt at the hands of one of the "big four".

But it was Newcastle who started as strong favourites, with home advantage, a settled team and one of the country's in-form strikers in Carroll.

However, the fact that Newcastle were using the same starting 11 as in their previous Premier League games did not stop them from displaying a worrying lack of understanding at times.

By way of contrast, Blackpool, who have used 19 players this campaign, settled instantly and almost took the lead inside a minute through the unmarked Campbell, who was off target with an overhead effort.

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Proud Holloway 'astonished' by performance

On the rare occasions the ball did come their way, Newcastle forwards Kevin Nolan and Carroll appeared to have the power and nous to concern the away defence.

And Blackpool's pressing almost led to a goal on 12 minutes when Joey Barton was woefully careless with a crossfield ball. Running on to the ball, Adam advanced into Newcastle's half and slid a perfectly weighted ball through for Campbell. However, the striker, so prolific with 11 goals from 18 appearances last season, lacked conviction and Harper was able to make a smart save before pouncing on the rebound ahead of Brett Ormerod.

While the route through the centre was closed off, Newcastle did at least sporadically threaten down the flanks with Wayne Routledge appearing to have the beating of left-back Stephen Crainey.

The former Spurs and Aston Villa winger sent in one cross that Nolan was inches away from connecting with before being hauled down in full flight by David Vaughan - the resultant free-kick headed against the post by Williamson.

While Newcastle enjoyed the greater possession in the first half to no real effect, Blackpool remained dangerous on the break and thought they had taken the lead on the half hour only for Campbell's low strike to be ruled out for offside.

But from their next break they did silence the Toon faithful. Running at the defence, Campbell fed Varney on the left.

In truth, there appeared little danger as the forward stumbled his way into the box, but Smith was rash with a challenge, referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot and Adam did the rest, the goal marked with a show of support for youth coach Gary Parkinson -
in hospital following a stroke on Friday.

Moments later the half-time whistle was met with boos - Newcastle had to improve and although they did luck was to remain against them.

With Blackpool increasingly happy to sit back and rely on ever-more infrequent breaks there was plenty of time on the ball for Barton in midfield.

And he almost forced an equaliser on the hour, taking advantage of a lucky deflection to burst into the box only for Matt Gilks to make a superb plunging save to his left.

Barton also set up a chance for Williamson, who came painfully close to converting a cross at the far post, while Carroll could also have done better when through to the left of the goal, Gilks proving his worth once more.

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Hughton frustrated by Newcastle defeat

Manager Chris Hughton introduced Hatem Ben Arfa for his debut as Newcastle continued to press, Jose Enrique cutting in well from the left only to fire wastefully high and wide with his right foot.

Ian Holloway brought on Keith Southern late on to bolster the defence, yet still Newcastle pressed, Nolan seeing a shot blocked, with Routledge's follow up cleared off the line.

But the gilt-edged chance to level appeared to finally arrive on 87 minutes only for Gilks to make the best of a series of superb saves, using his feet to deny Carroll from close range.

And there was an air of inevitability as Blackpool launched a late counter, Adam playing in Campbell who superbly fired home left footed from 20 yards to move Blackpool up to fourth place in the table.

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